Window ventilator and light blocking screen



April 14, 1959 H. BARLow v 2,831,691v

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WINDOW VENTILATORAND LIGHT BLOCKING SCREEN' Filed nec. 2a, 195e` sheets/ sheet 2 0 v INVENTOR.

n April 14, 1959 H. BARLow WINDOW VENTILATOR AND LIGHT BLOCKING SCREEN Filed Dec. 2a, 1956 5 sheets-sheet s IN VEN TOR.

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T7' ORNE VS Hom/eo /Leww United States Patent O WINDOW VENTILATOR AND LIGHT BLOCKING SCREEN Howard Barlow, Pound Ridge, N.Y.

Application December 28, 1956, Serial No. 631,263

Claims. (Cl. 9899) This invention relates to a window ventilator and light blocking screen, more particularly it relates to a portable window ventilator and light deecting screen which may bey conveniently used on various size double hung vertical windows.

With modern day living there are many times when it is necessary to prohibit the entrance of sunlight into a room, but at the same time maintain the free circulation of outside air. Typical examples of such situations are found in the sleeping room of persons required to w'ork unusual hours and who are consequently forced to sleep during the daylight hours; another such situation is found in demonstration or projection rooms where darkness is of vast importance-to 'gain the full benelt of projection slides or motion pictures.

Heretofore attempts have been made to compensate for one or the other of these requirements but none of them accomplish the results as well as the present invention. The prior day devices are not simple in construction, they do not compensate for window size variations without mechanical alterations, they are not adaptable to regulate the amount of air circulation and are frequently inoperative when it rains. The present invention is constructed to fulfill all of these requirements.

One object of the invention is to provide a Ventilating screen which willfbar the entrance of sunlight into a room when the conventional window shade is lowered to the top of the screen. v t

Another object of the invention is to provide a screen which will allow the free circulation of outside air into a room but still prohibit the entrance of a light.

A further object of the invention is to provide a screen which will allow a doublehung window to be raised or lowered while the screen is in place in the window thus regulating the amount of outside air to be admitted for ventilation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a screen which may be used in the rain and thus permit ventilation and light blocking advantages without admitting rain.

A still further object of the invention is to provide screen which may be readily adjusted to t various size double hung windows without resort to mechanical changes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a screen which may be easily folded and conventionally stored when not in use. j

A still further object of the invention is to provide a screen which is light in weight and which lmay be conventionally inserted into the window to assure privacy and outside air ventilation for the occupants of a room.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent in the following description and claims as well as in the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device embodyin 'the present invention when positioned in a window;

ice

along line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the rain deck in a vertical position;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken substantially along line y2-2 of Figure 1 showing the rain deck in an extended position;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially along line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a simplified drawing showing the side panels fitted to various size windows;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of the device embodied in the present invention being prepared for storage.

Briefly described, this invention consists of a large central panel having two hinged side panels. These two side panels protrude through the window opening and have grooves to receive the window sill and window sash. The central panel is spaced from the window sill and extends in a vertical plane to prevent the entrance of 11 which protrude through the opening 27 between the window sill 12 and the window casing 13. The vertical central panel 10 extends a substantial distance upwardly above the level of the sill as well as below and above the top edge of the side panels. As can be readily seen in Figure 1 this portion of the central panel blocks the entrance of light into the room when the window is in an open position. To ensure substantial darkness inthe room the conventional shades or blinds covering the window should be drawn to the top of the side panels. 'In this position the combination of the shade and screen will block the entrance of any light; v

The side panels 11 are hingedly or rotatably attached to the central panel 10 by hinges 14 or other suitable means and may be swung from a position ilat against the central panel through more than 90 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. When inserting the side panels 11 through the window opening 27 they should be pivoted into a position whereby they contactthe side frames 28 of the window.

Formed in each side panel 11 is an elongated vertical groove 15 extending downwardly a substantial distance from the upper edge. This groove 15 is suciently broad to receive the window sash 13 whether the side panels 11 are in a position perpendicular to the central panel 10 or are in an angular position as shown in Figure 5. The dotted portion in Figure l illustrates how the window can readily. slide within the elongated groove 15, and how it may be adjusted to Ilimit or increase the amount of fresh air 'to be admitted into the room while still holding the screen in place. The outward vertical portion 29 of side panel 11 extending beyond the elongated vertical groove 15 may extend upwardly above the rest of said panel. This upwardly extending portion assists in guiding the window into the vertical groove 15.`

Formed in the bottom edge of side panels 11 is an upwardly extending slot 16 which lits over the window sill when the ventilator-screen is placed in position. Slot 16 is of sufficient breadth and depth to overlap the norfor the additional length required when the side panels are rotated in an angular position.

The section 17 in the side panels spaces the central panel 10 away from the window sill 12 and creates a vertical opening at the top 18 and at the bottom'19 3 through which the fresh air from the outside may freely pass into the room. Additional indentations may be made in slots 1S and grooves 16 to compensate for weather strip should there be any attached to the window frame.

Central panel may be provided with a rain deck comprising a centrally disposed displaceable section 20 extending downwardly from the center of center panel 10. The section 20 is hinged to the panel 10 longitudinally by hinges 21 or other suitable means. able section 20 may be divided into two sections 30, 31 hinged at 22 to allow them to fold together. The dotted portion of Figure 2 illustrates the displaceable rain deck section 20 pivoting longitudinally about the hinges 21 and the center sections being folded together around hinges 22. Figure 3 illustrates the rain deck in position after the displaceable section 20 has been extended over the window sill. When the rain deck is in this position, no water will be allowed to enter the room, however fresh air from the outside may pass through the top vertical opening 18 created by side panel 11 and central panelv 10.

It is preferred to provide extended waterproof aps around the sides of displaceable section 20. These aps 23 may be suitably attached to the inner sides of the side panels 11 and center panel 10 to provide an overlapping of said flaps over the edges of the displaceable section 20. Additional waterproof aps 24 may be attached to section 30 and overlap the separation between sections 30 and 31. Figure 4 illustrates the overlapping of the waterproof flaps around the sides of the rain deck section 20 when it is in its extended position protruding outside the window sill.

The inner side of the central panel 10 may be provided with a locking handle 26 or other means for holding the side panels 11 in a juxtaposed position when it is desired to store the ventilator. It can be readily seen from Figure 6 that the side panels fold up against the center panel and provide a flat and `compact article requiring only a minimum space for storage.

The device may be `constructed of plastic, light sheet metal or other similar material. To insert the device into a window the lower section of the double hung window is pushed upwardly and the center panel 10 is placed perpendicular to the window sill 12. The side panels 11 are pivoted outwardly over the window sill and below the Window sash 13. The device is then lowered whereby slot 16 registers over the window sill, with the side panels contacting the sides of the window frame 28. The window sash is then lowered and guided into groove by the upwardly extending portions 29 of the side panels. The window may now be lowered to any desired height thus regulating the amount of air to be admitted through the openings 18 and 19.

To extend' the weather deck section 20 over the window sill 12 sections 30 and 31 are folded together and then pivoted around the longitudinal axis at 21 until they have cleared the window sill. Sections 30 and 31 are then unfolded and extended outwardly over the window sill and rest below the Waterproof flaps 23, 24 attached to the side panels and central panel. When section is in this position no water may enter the room, however.

ferent widths having a sill and sash comprising a central panel adapted to be supported in spaced relation to the window to shield against the direct passage of light and air and means for supporting said panel in spaced relation from said window and substantially parallel thereto and thus providing both upper and lower air passages at the upper and lower portions of said central panel comprising side panels pivotally attached adjacent the ends of said central panel on vertical axes for swinging movement in either direction from a plane perpendicular to said central panel whereby the outer free edges of said side panels may be swung to the vertical edges of windows of various widths when said ventilator and screen is in operative position before a window opening, means at the free edge of said side panels for holding said panels between the sill and sash at the vertical edges 4of such windows including vertical slots adjacent said free edges adapted to receive said sash, and a swingable central panel pivoted on a horizontal axis on said central panel on a line spaced from the top thereof between said side panels and adapted to depend substantially in the plane of said central panel so as to not obstruct the passages at the upper and lower portion of said central panel but also swingable toward said window, said swingable panel comprising a plurality of sections hinged together along their sides on horizontal lines to permit said swingable panel to be folded, swungrtoward the window, and then unfolded and extended over the sill to provide a bottorn closure member between the central panel and the sill, each of said sections being of a width less than the distance from the said horizontal axis to said sill whereby said swingable central panel may be folded and swung toward said window to a position above said sill when the ventilator is in place on said window and then unfolded and disposed above said sill and ilaps connected to said side panels on generally horizontal lines above said swingable panel, said flaps having their free edges extending downwardly and being swingable upwardly to overlie said swingable panel when it is resting on said sill.

2. An adjustable window ventilator and light blocking screen adapted for use in double hung windows of different widths having a sill and sash comprising a central panel adapted to be supported in spaced relation to the window to shield against the direct passage of light and air and means for supporting said panel in spaced relation from said window and substantially parallel thereto and thus providing both upper and lower air passages at the upper and lower portions of'said central panel comprising side panels pivotally attached adjacent the ends of said central panel on vertical axes `for swinging movement in either direction from a plane perpendicular to said central panel whereby the outer free edges of said side panels may be swung to the verticaly edges `of windows of various widths when said ventilator and screen is in operative position before a window opening, means at the free edge of said side panels for holding said panels at the vertical edges of such windows and a swingable central panel pivoted on a horizontal axis on said central panel on a line spaced from the top thereof between said side panels and adapted to depend substantially in the plane of said central panel so as to not obstruct the passages at the upper and lower portion of said central panel but also swingable toward said win dow, and adapted to extend over the sill to provide a bottom closure member between the central panel and the sill, and flaps connected to said side panels on generally horizontal lines above said swingable panel, said aps having their free edges extending downwardly and being swingable upwardly to overlie said swingable panel when it is resting on said sill.

3. An adjustable window ventilator and light blocking screen adapted for use in vdouble hung windows of dilerent widths having a sill and sash comprising a central panel adapted to be supported in spaced relation to the window to shield against the direct passage of light and air and means for supporting said panel in spaced relation from said window and substantially parallel thereto and thus providing both upper and lower air passages at the upper and lower portion of said central panel comprising side panels pivotally attached adjacent the ends of said central panel on vertical axes for swinging movement in either direction from a plane perpendicular to said central panel whereby the outer free edges of said side panels may be swung to the vertical edges of windows of various widths when said ventilator and screen is in operative position before a window opening, means at the free edge of said side panels for holding said panels at the vertical edges of such windows, and a swingable central panel pivoted on a horizontal axis on said central panel on a line spaced from the top thereof between said side panels and adapted to depend substantially in the plane of said central panel so as to not obstruct the passages at the upper and lower portion of said central panel but also swingable toward said window, said swingable panel comprising a plurality of sections hinged together along their sides on horizontal lines to permit said swingable panel to be folded, swung toward the window, and then unfolded and extended over the sill to provide a bottom closure member between the central panel and the sill, each of said sections being of a width less than the distance from the said horizontal axis to said sill whereby said swingable central panel may be folded and swung toward said window to a position above said sill when the ventilator is in place on said window and then unfolded and disposed above said sill.

4. An adjustable window ventilator and light blocking screen adapted for use in double hung windows of diiferent widths having a sill and sash comprising a central panel adapted to be supported in spaced relation to the window to shield against the direct passage of light and air and means for supporting said panel in spaced relation from said window and substantially parallel thereto and thus providing both upper and lower air passages at the upper and lower portions of said central panel comprising side panels pivotally attached adjacent the ends of said central panel on vertical axes for swinging movement in either direction from a plane perpendicular to said central panel whereby the outer free edges of said side panels may be swung to the vertical edges of win- 6 dows of various widths when said ventilator and screen is in operative position Ibefore a window opening, means at the free edge of said side panels for holding said panels between the sill and sash at the vertical edges of such windows including vertical slots adjacent said free edges adapted to receive said sash.

5. An adjustable window ventilator and light blocking screen adapted for use in double hung windows of different widths having a sill and sash comprising a central panel adapted to be supported in spaced relation to the window to shield against the direct passage of light and air and means for supporting said panel in spaced relation from said window and substantially parallel thereto and thus providing both upper and lower air passages at the upper and lower portions of said central panel comprising side panels pivotally attached adjacent the ends of said central panel on vertical axes, means at the free edge of said side panels for holding said panels at the vertical edges of such windows, and a swingable central panel pivoted on a horizontal axis on said central panel on a line spaced from the top thereof between said side panels and adapted to depend substantially in the plane of said central panel so as to not obstruct the passages at the upper and lower portion of said central panel but also swingable toward said window, said swingable panel comprising a plurality of sections hinged together along their sides on horizontal lines to permit said swingable panel to be folded, swung toward the window, and then unfolded and extended over the sill to provide a bottom closure member between the central panel and the sill,

each of said sections being of a width less than the distance from the said horizontal axis to said sill whereby said swingable central panel may be folded and swung toward said window to a position above said sill when the ventilator is in place on said window and then unfolded and disposed above said sill.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 693,224 Boller Feb. 11, 1902 880,538 Kennedy Mar. 3, 1908 1,546,277 Woods July 14, 1925 2,350,296 Tietze May 30, 1944 2,595,570 Ferris May 6, 1952 2,663,245 Fairbairn Dec. 22, 1953 

